A Look at Bush's Budget for the State

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, February 2, 2003

An agency-by-agency glance at President Bush's proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The spending totals reflect new discretionary spending authority sought for each agency, and do not include mandatory spending such as Medicare and interest on the federal debt.

Agency: Department of State

Spending: $27.4 billion

Percentage change from 2003: +11.6 percent

Highlights:

_Would provide $646.7 million to enhance security equipment and pay for other upgrades at U.S. diplomatic posts and to hire 85 additional security professionals.

_Construction to improve security at U.S. embassies and consulates would receive $1.5 billion, including $761.4 million for new embassy compounds in seven countries and $128.3 million for a new embassy in Germany.

_Seeks $18.8 billion for foreign assistance, including $4.4 billion in military aid and $2.5 billion in economic aid. This is an increase of $2.4 billion. The Middle East would get the most economic help, $1.6 billion. South Asia would get $395 million, including $150 million for Afghanistan.

_Would provide $1 billion for 44 international organizations, including the United Nations. Seeds $71.4 million to renew U.S. membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) after 18 years.

_Requests $736 million to improve security in guarding U.S. borders against terrorists and in improving the visas system.

_Would provide $296.9 million for the public diplomacy program, which includes information and cultural programs "to build understanding for the U.S., its policy objectives and the values of the American people."

_Requests $450 million for President Bush's five-year $10 billion global AIDS initiative. The money would go for prevention, drugs and care for 10 million HIV infected-people and AIDS orphans. Africa is the primary target.